Corina Durkee, a 43-year-old Waldoboro woman charged with murder in connection with the stabbing of two women in Waldoboro last April, pleaded guilty to felony murder in Lincoln County Superior Court in Wiscasset on April 23.
Her plea is part of a plea bargain, in which she pleaded guilty to felony murder, aggravated attempted murder and burglary. As a result of the plea, the prosecution will recommend a 15-year sentence, said Assistant Attorney General Leane Zainea.
Durkee’s plea comes one week after her alleged accomplice in the crimes, Earl “Buddy” Bieler, 25, also of Waldoboro, pleaded guilty to murder. Bieler’s plea was not the result of a plea bargain, but the prosecution has taken a life sentence off the table, Zainea said.
“Our theory of the case is that [Durkee] acted as an accomplice,” Zainea said. “Her sentence reflects her involvement.”
Durkee and Bieler were charged with the April 19, 2009, stabbing of Rachel Grindal, 27, and Tracey Neild, 32, in front of Neild’s home at 161 Controversy Lane in Waldoboro. Grindal died from her wounds. Neild’s throat was cut, but she survived.
Though she was unable to speak following the attack, Neild wrote at the time that Durkee stabbed her in the neck and Bieler killed Grindal, according to an affidavit filed by Maine State Police Detective Christopher Tupper prior to Bieler and Durkee’s initial court appearances in April 2009.
Prior to her plea, Durkee faced charges of murder, aggravated attempted murder, elevated aggravated assault and burglary with a firearm. Assault charge was dropped following her plea, the burglary charge was reduced to a class b crime, and the murder charge was replaced with a felony murder charge, which carries a lighter sentence.
Durkee’s attorney could not be reached for comment.
Both Durkee and Bieler have sentencing hearings scheduled for May 10 at Lincoln County Superior Court. Bieler’s hearing will begin at 8:30 a.m., with Durkee’s following at 1 p.m.
